This style is an expression of American craft brewing ingenuity in which some brewers push the envelope of what beer can be. By doubling up, the American IPA brewers created a whole new style with an even bolder manifestation of hops and bitterness than in the first American-style India Pale Ales. Double/Imperial IPAs feature copious amounts of hops, typically American varieties, typically with plenty of malts and higher alcohol levels balancing the hop bitterness. Variations exist within the style, with some examples offering over-the-top hop bitterness (to the joy of many hop enthusiasts). Others are more balanced in hop bitterness and malt sweetness, and still others are complex, with multiple layers of fruity, hoppy, malty character that evolve as the beer warms in the glass and passes over the palate.
Characteristics: Balanced, hoppy or complex; fruity, citrusy, spicy, piney, caramel, medium-bodied
ABV range: 7.5-11+% IBU: 65-120
Popular Double/Imperial IPA-style beers: Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Stone Ruination IPA, Victory Hop Wallop, Lagunitas Hop Stoopid, Diamond Knot Industrial IPA, Epic Brewing Hopulent IPA, Weyerbacher Double Simcoe, Moylan’s Hopsickle Imperial Ale, Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA, Southern Tier Unearthly Imperial IPA, Great Divide Hercules Double IPA, Deschutes Hop Henge Experimental IPA, Avery Maharaja, Founders Double Trouble, Knee Deep Hoptologist DIPA and Laughing Dog Alpha Dog, Devil Dog and Sneaky Pete Imperial IPA
Serving Temperature: Cool, 46-54°
Cheese Pairing Ideas: Limburger, Monterey Jack, Stilton
Food Pairing Ideas: Grilled meats, barbecue and other beef dishes and grilled salmon
